Waldo County

The Town of Belmont is located in south central Waldo County. Incorporated in 1814 the Town of Belmont was once part of the Greene Plantation. With a population 821 Belmont is one of the smaller Waldo County communities but what it lacks in size it makes up for with heart.

The Town of Lincolnville was incorporated in 1802 from the plantations of Ducktrap and Canaan and is named for General Benjamin Lincoln, a Major General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The Town is the most southern community in Waldo County and has a population of 2,164 residents. Six lakes or ponds are either within or partly within the bounds of the Town Lincolnville and the Town is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, thus making the community home to large number of seasonal residents.

The village of Lincolnville Beach along U.S. Route 1 is known for its sand beach, the Town’s commerce center, commercial fishing center, and is the home of Maine State Ferry Service Terminal to Islesboro.

The village of Lincolnville Center is the quintessential New England community. The Center includes the Lincolnville Central School, Town Office, Post Office, the Center General Store, the offices of the Lincolnville Telephone Company, and the United Christian Church.

The Town of Northport, (population 1,520) is a town of approximately 15,393 acres located on Penobscot Bay. The combination of ocean frontage and two ponds makes Northport a large summer community with many recreational activities. The Northport Village Corporation (Bayside), Temple Heights and Saturday Cove share a rich history dating back to the turn of the century. Saturday Cove remains a working cove for resident fishermen.

The current Town of Searsmont is located at the junction of several well-marked historical Indian trails and was formerly called Quantabacook. The town was a part of the Waldo Patent purchased by a consortium of wealthy Boston investors. First settled in 1804 and called Fraternity Village by Ben Ames Williams, Searsmont was incorporated on February 5, 1814. Located in south-central Waldo County, on the banks of the St. George River, Searsmont spreads over approximately 40 square miles.

Settled around 1780, Searsmont was named after David Sears of Boston, a proprietor of many lands in the area. Searsmont was known for its white pine timber and water resources. The first lumber mills were built before 1800 in North Searsmont. Today, Searsmont continues its lumbering heritage with two mills in town.

Searsmont’s community center houses the town office, the library, the historical society, and community meeting rooms.

Knox County

Appleton is a town in Knox County, incorporated on January 28, 1829 from the former Appleton Plantation. Also in 1843 it annexed land from Hope to complete its boundaries which have not changed since then. Sennebec Pond straddles Union and Appleton. The view, from Morang Corner on Route 105, is shared by the nearby Appleton Village School and the classic old barn. Now served by Maine Routes 105 and 131, the town is northwest of Camden following Route 105. www.appleton.maine.gov

Experience a true sense of refreshing relaxation in Camden, where the mountains meet the sea. You can take a short walk from downtown Camden Maine and hike into Camden Hills State Park. Or stroll the neighborhoods near the business district to view the diversity of our 19th Century architecture. And no matter where you are in Camden Maine, views of spectacular Penobscot Bay are only moments away. Throughout the year, enjoy our locally-owned shops, boutiques, galleries, harbor side restaurants, and lodging. Curtis Island with its historic lighthouse is situated at the harbor’s entrance. Camden is truly a harbor town unlike any other. www.camdenmaine.gov

Cushing is a town in Knox County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,322. A favorite of artists for its unspoiled natural setting, Cushing includes the villages of North Cushing, Cushing, South Cushing, and Pleasant Point. The Olson House was depicted in Andrew Wyeth’s 1948 painting, Christina’s World, which in turn was used as Dahlia Gillespie’s house in the 2006 horror film Silent Hill, and inspired the farmer’s house in the 1978 film Days of Heaven. The building is now operated by the Farnsworth Art Museum of Rockland. http://www.cushing.maine.gov

Friendship is a small fishing village of approximately 1,200 located in Knox County, Maine, but the population doubles in the summer with the influx of summer residents. It is about a 25 minute drive from Rockland to the north, and is directly south of Waldoboro. The Friendship Sloop, which is a gaff-rigged sailboat designed for lobstering and fishing, takes its name from the town. For movie buffs, the majority of the film “Casper” was set in Friendship, although it was actually filmed in the nearby resort town of Rockport. Friendship is home to a fictional Gothic mansion called Whipstaff Manor. The town and imaginary mansion also appear in the animated series “The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper.” http://www.maine.gov/local/town.php?t=Friendship

Owls Head (pop. 1601) is a town of approximately 19.6 square miles located on the Owls Head Peninsula. Samuel de Champlain explored this area in 1605 and the Abenaki indians called it “Bedabedec Point” which means “Cape of the Winds”. Mariners named it for the shape of the promontory which they thought resembled the “Head of an Owl”. Owls Head is home to: The Owls Head Light Station which is a 30ft granite lighthouse built in 1826, The Owls Head Transportation Museum & The Knox County Regional Airport. www.owlshead.maine.gov

The City of Rockland has always benefited from a unique combination of geography and economics that has made it one of the most beautiful and practical destinations on the coast of Maine. Its nearly 8,000 residents live at the heart of Midcoast Maine, an area world famous for its mountainous and rocky shore with hundreds of harbors and inlets, and for some of the best cruising waters anywhere for sailing and boating for pleasure or sport. A nearly mile-long granite breakwater protects Rockland Harbor and lighthouse making it one of the finest shipping and recreational boating harbors on the East Coast of the United States. Shipbuilding, lime processing, granite quarrying, and commercial fishing and lobstering have all figured in Rockland’s industrial past. An historic Main Street forms the core of retail shopping, while large modern outlying shopping centers provide the diversity required by today’s modern mobile customers. All of these factors combined make Rockland a perfect place to live, work, and play.

The town of Rockport is the quintessential Maine coastal village simmered in a rich mixture of culture and the arts. As the home of Maine Center for Contemporary Art, Maine Media Workshop’s and College, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Bay Chamber Concerts and many artisans there is a strong cultural presence woven into the town’s fabric.

Rockport is strategically located in the heart of mid-coast Maine at the intersection of three major arterial highways, Route 1, Route 90 and Route 17. These highways, coupled with strong infrastructure, complimentary zoning, and progressive town government position Rockport as a very inviting gateway community to the mid-coast.

Whether your stay is for a moment or forever, you will be touched by the charm of Rockport and refreshed by the ‘down east’ can do attitude of her people. http://town.rockport.me.us

The Town of St. George which includes the villages of Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde lies at the heart of Mid-Coast Maine. The peninsula forms the western boundary of Penobscot Bay and covers an area of 23 square miles. This area includes Martinsville, Long Cove, Clark Island and portions of Spruce Head as well as some 218 ocean islands. The year-round population is about 3000, with a summertime increase to an estimated 7000. Incorporated in 1803, St. George is a favorite with artists, writers and naturalists, St. George is home to the Brothers and Hay Ledge nature preserve, comprising four islands off Port Clyde. http://www.stgeorgemaine.com/index.html

Thomaston (population 3,748) is an old seaport community popular with tourists. Known for its antique architecture especially in the historic district; visitors will be amazed at contains of Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate architecture. For over 200 years, wooden schooners have been built in Thomaston. Today, Jeff’s Marine, Inc. and Lyman Morse Boatbuilding, continue to build custom power and sailing yachts. Thomaston was home to the state prison until 2002, when it moved to Warren and the former facility was demolished. The prison was locally famous for its shop featuring handmade wares of the prisoners. The gift shop still exists today. http://town.thomaston.me.us/site/

Union (population 2,209), is nestled among the rolling hills of Knox County. It is home to beautiful farmlands, the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, and the annual Union Fair. http://union.govoffice2.com/

Vinalhaven is an island community 15 miles off the coast of Maine with a year-round population of 1,200. The Town of Vinalhaven is served by the Maine State Ferry Service with six trips daily from Rockland. The economy is centered on lobster fishing with close to 200 boats setting traps in the surrounding waters. The Vinalhaven Land Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Nature Conservancy maintain numerous trails on several nature preserves spread out around the island. Whether you come to Vinalhaven for a day or a season, you will find yourself captivated by this extraordinary island and the people who make it special. http://townofvinalhaven.org/

Warren was settled in 1736, in the County of Knox, and is situated on both sides of the St. George River at the head of the tide waters. It is bounded westerly by Waldoboro, northerly by Union, easterly by Rockport, Thomaston and Rockland and southerly by Cushing. It is considered to be some 46.63 square miles in area.

The center of population is Warren Village located between Routes 1, 90 and 131.

Land areas within the Town are generally rolling hills bisected by the St.
George River as it flows through the valley and the village.

South Pond, North Pond, Crawford Pond, and Seven Tree pond lie partially within its boundaries.

Washington lies in the northwestern boundary of Knox County between the county seat in Rockland and the State Capital in Augusta. The township consists of sections set in wooded, rolling terrain: Washington Village, West Washington, Razorville, East Washington, Stickney Corners, and Patrick and Cunningham Mountains to the North. Washington Pond and Crystal Pond are northwest of the Village. Many other beautiful ponds and streams such as Davis Stream, Little Medomak and Washington Brooks adorn this attractive rural community. http://washingtonme.govoffice.com/

Lincoln County

Named for the alder trees that grow in profusion along the banks of the Sheepscot River, Alna was the site of the first fish hatchery in Maine, started shortly after the Civil War. Between 1895 until 1933, Alna’s Sheepscot Station was a stop on the narrow gauge Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway, and is now a heritage railway museum.

With a history dating back to the Pilgrims of the 1600’s, the Town of Boothbay offers both residents and visitors a wealth of things to enjoy. From unforgettable Maine lobster and majestic lighthouses to pristine lakes and the captivating rocky coast, Boothbay’s many land preserves provide wonderful hiking and walking trails, gardens, and vistas of open water as well as opportunities for boating, kayaking, fishing and sailing. In town you’ll find many artist’s galleries and studios, antiques shops, clothing, gifts, home furnishings, jewelry, and a variety of restaurants, B&B’s, motels, cottages, camping and other accommodations.

Boothbay Harbor, often known as “The Boating Capital of New England,” is berth to many fishing boats and pleasure craft, and offers over 25 excursion boat trips out of the harbor during the summer season. Along with several fine restaurants and guest accommodations, shops featuring quality gifts, apparel, marine supplies and accessories, antiques, Maine-made handcrafts and jewelry line the streets of this quaint coastal town. Other attractions include an aquarium, historic opera house/performing arts center, YMCA, lighthouses, and a picturesque 1,000-foot footbridge which connects the east and west sides of the inner harbor.

Located on the eastern side of the Pemaquid Peninsula, the small coastal town of Bremen has a year-round population of just 782, but increases considerably every the summer. The main industry in town is lobstering and clamming, though Bremen is also home to several small businesses and cottage industries. Its landscape is primarily forested, with occasional fields offering spectacular views of ponds and coastal waters.

Located on the scenic Pemaquid Peninsula, the town of Bristol is comprised of five charming villages: Bristol Mills, Round Pond, Chamberlain, New Harbor and Pemaquid. Rich in natural beauty and history, Bristol offers the spectacular scenery at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (featured on the Maine State Quarter), the archaeological sites at Colonial Pemaquid and Fort William Henry, swimming in the Atlantic at Pemaquid Beach, and the freshest lobster you’ll find anywhere!

Located near the head of the Damariscotta River (12 miles from the ocean), the lovely town of Damariscotta offers a diverse business mix, a thriving arts community, and many modern amenities in a uniquely historic and natural setting. In addition beautiful architecture dating to the Colonial period, visitors enjoy exploring the Oyster Shell Midden along the Damariscotta river, which records Indian gatherings dating back more than 2,500 years. The town’s three-season waterfront offers accommodation for all kinds of recreational boating.

Incorporated over 200 years ago, Dresden’s rolling country roads and vast open spaces give this quiet, rural community its character. Mostly a bedroom community within driving distance of Portland, Augusta and Lewiston-Auburn, the consensus among its residents is that they love the town’s tranquil atmosphere and very much want to keep it that way.

Artists abound in this quiet town, situated between the Sheepscot and Damariscotta Rivers. Historic Fort Edgecomb, now a State Park, was built in 1809 to protect Wiscasset and its shipping from possible British attack. A block house with parade ground and the remains of fortifications stands on a granite ledge looking out on a beautiful view of the Narrows, Westport Island, and in the distance on the Edgecomb shore, a glimpse of the “Marie Antoinette house.” (Photo: Karen E. Edelstein)

Incorporated in 1807 and named for Thomas Jefferson when he was President, the town of Jefferson is situated at the head of scenic Damariscotta Lake’s Great Bay. This old farming community remains a beautiful and serene rural area, perhaps best known for its lakes, ponds and fine fishing.

With a history that dates back to the late 15th century, lobstering is Monhegan’s great industry, beginning on “trap day” (January 1) and continuing until dusk on June 24. With ferry service available from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde, artists and summer visitors return each spring to its cottages and welcoming inns. All who walk the island trails take away an indelible memory of Monhegan’s high cliffs, cathedral woods and blue Atlantic waters stretching away toward Spain. (Photo courtesy Knitting and Yoga Adventures, Inc.)

Located between the Sheepscot and Damariscotta Rivers, Newcastle was once a busy boat-building settlement. There were also once great sawmills and grist mills at Damariscotta Mills, as well as the oldest Catholic Church in New England, St, Patrick’s, which is still in continuous use today. One of the last bells cast by Paul Revere hangs inside. With abundant opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing and fishing, Newcastle residents have a strong sense of heritage and community. (Photo copyright Newcastle Village Center)

“The little town with a big heart,” Nobleboro celebrated its Bicentennial in 20xx. Many of Nobleboro’s small farms of long ago are now rural homes for skilled workers, retirees and vacationers, attracted by the beauty of Damariscotta Lake, Pemaquid and Duck Puddle Ponds. However, agriculture is still important in North Nobleboro, with a few large dairy herds providing record supplies of milk. A modern central school shares grounds with one of the Town’s twelve original one-room schoolhouses; this 1818 building is now the Nobleboro Historic Center, which preserves and displays Town records, genealogies, and memorabilia.

Formerly known as Patricktown Plantation, Somerville invites the visitor to explore its beautiful, unspoiled Maine countryside. Crummet Mountain, Dodge Hill, Long and James ponds from which the Sheepscot River flows to the sea, all provide wonderful opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping. (Robert Staples photo)

Reaching further out into the Atlantic than any other part of Lincoln County, Southport is a beautiful wooded island connected to the mainland by a bridge at Townsend Gut in the Sheepscot River. Southport’s year-round residents take great pride in their island community and leisurely lifestyle. Summer residents happily return each season for fishing, boating, exploring the outer islands, and enjoying the unique Maine coastline in comfortable accommodations on the island including West Southport and Newagen, as well as Squirrel and Capitol Islands, which are also part of the Town of Southport.

Originally part of Bristol, South Bristol is a famous shipbuilding town with trawlers, fishing boats, small naval vessels and yachts built here. It is also a busy fishing port; clamming, fishing and lobstering have been the base of the economy, and now aquaculture – oysters and mussels cultivated in the cold, clear waters of the Damariscotta River – is providing new employment. Every summer visitors return to numerous cottages and hotels in the area, especially to Christmas Cove, one of Maine’s oldest and best-known summer colonies. Secluded in a grove of trees is another of Lincoln County’s fine old 18th century churches, Walpole Meeting House, built circa 1772, which welcomes visitors to Sunday services throughout the summer.

A delightful old town with its own special flavor, Waldoboro is situated in the beautiful valley of the Medomac River, which flows into the headwaters of Muscongus Bay. With 73 square miles of area, Waldoboro is one of the largest towns in the region, encompassing many miles of coastline, acres of forest and abundant open fields. Originally called “Broad Bay,” in the 19th century it became famous as a great shipbuilding center. An enduring monument is the old German Meeting House, circa 1772, with its wonderfully preserved interior. In addition to Heritage Tourism, the economy is also sustained by farming, lumbering and its famous Medomac Clams, and campsites are available for recreational hunting, fishing and boating.

An 11-mile island south of Wiscasset in Sheepscot Bay, where fishing is still the primary industry, Westport Island is a quiet and picture-perfect small Maine community of about 800 residents. In the early 1800s it flourished as a fishing and farming community, one of the most prosperous in Maine. Today, its secluded country roads are home to artists, builders and fishermen. Just north of the historic Town Hall (1790) and adjoining Church, you will find the historic Squire Tarbox Farm (built in 1763-1825), which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is now a country inn and restaurant open to the public.

The three villages of this quiet pastoral community – King’s Mills, Whitefield and Coopers Mills – are linked by the graceful Sheepscot River that meanders through the town. Over the last two centuries, no fewer than eight bridges have spanned the river – carrying sheep, hay wagons, narrow gauge trains and logging trucks. The fertile river valley has provided sustenance to woodsmen, farmers, millers, sawyers and their families for decades, supporting over twelve mills over the years that produced shingles, beams, boards, barrels, flour, meal, cider, woolens and more. Whitefield’s population today is a cooperative mix of farmers, artists, woodsmen and professionals, a vibrant community alive with public suppers, dances, plays, ball games, civic events and celebrations.

Settled in the first half of the 18th century, “Maine’s Prettiest Village” borders the Sheepscot River and has one of the deepest harbors in Maine – even being fourteen miles from the sea. The town of Wiscasset became a great shipbuilding center and lumber port in the 19th century; local industry today includes the former Maine Yankee Atomic Plant and water-related activities such as worm digging and lobstering. The Chewonki Foundation is world-renowned educational preserve, once used by naturalist Roger Tory Peterson of birding fame. Accessible by car, summer Rail/Sail excursions, or the year-round municipal airport, visitors can explore local galleries, dine on the waterfront, stroll the pleasant brick sidewalks, visit the botanical Sunken Garden, the customs house, the 1812 Powder House, and more than 20 other public and private properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Sagadahoc County

This scenic island town on the Kennebec River is home to four distinct lighthouses of unique construction, two of which are the only range lights of Maine’s 64 lighthouses and among the very few wooden lighthouses in the country. Arrowsic was originally purchased in 1649 by the English trader John Richards from the Abenaki Indians, who called the island Arrowseag, meaning “place of obstruction” – a reference to the boulders and ledges that made passage risky in the swift current between the Merrymeeting and Sheepscot Bays. Today Arrowsic is a residential community of some 500 residents, with the City of Bath just across the river.

Situated along the Kennebec River, Bath is a small city proud of its seafaring history, vibrant urban downtown, and strong sense of community. Listed as one of the “Best Small Cities in America” and named a “Distinctive Destination” by The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Bath has long been known as the “City of Ships,” with over 20 shipyards once lining the river’s edge and Bath-built vessels sailing the seas of the world. Today, Bath is famous for the world-class shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works, while its nationally acclaimed Maine Maritime Museum chronicles the State’s nautical history. Downtown, locals and visitors alike enjoy a unique mix of services, shops and restaurants amid Bath’s classic American architecture, waterfront parks and tree-lined avenues – all tempered by a comfortable pace and friendly pedestrian atmosphere. (Photo: Jeff W Robinson)

A small inland town located west of Merrymeeting Bay, Bowdoin was named for landowner James Bowdoin in the mid-18th century. Wooded forests, rolling fields and wide-open spaces create a peaceful environment in this quiet rural community. With a current population of more than 2,700, Bowdoin is home to a number of successful service businesses including contractors, farming supplies, landscaping and others.

On the western shore of Merrymeeting Bay, Bowdoinham’s natural rural character and strong independent streak are reflected in its quiet pace of life. Farms remain intact, local cultural organizations are active year-round, and residents have access to a wide range of services, retail businesses and a traditional village center.

This island community located between the mouths of the Sheepscot and Kennebec rivers is a popular tourist destination, home to the mile-long beaches and secluded coves of Reid State Park. Accessible by car from the mainland near Bath, it includes the villages of Five Islands, Georgetown, Bay Point, Marrtown, West Georgetown and Robinhood. In addition to beach time, visitors can explore trails through spruce forests and wildflower meadows, or enjoy a morning of bird-watching.

On a sprawling 44 square mile coastal peninsula just south of Bath, Phippsburg is the location of sandy Popham Beach and Fort Popham State Historic Site, as well as the Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area and Fort Baldwin. The town includes part of Winnegance, the area near Winnegance Lake and Winnegance Creek. Today Phippsburg’s principal industries are fishing and tourism; in the 19th century, it had numerous tidal mills and a facility for building wooden ships. As Popham Beach became a resort area, steamboats transported visitors from Bath. (Photo: Caren-Marie Michel)

Richmond is a charming community on the Kennebec River, made up of beautiful farms, Victorian and Greek revival homes and a growing, vibrant village center including schools, churches, a post office, medical center, professional offices, a waterfront marina, restaurants, unique shops and a gallery. Neighboring Swan Island offers visitors abundant natural beauty and opportunities for picnicking and camping. Richmond and Swan Island have a rich and varied history, from Native American tribes and early settlers to fame for shipbuilding, dairy farms, and tales of the Underground Railroad.

Topsham is a suburban residential community with a strong and growing business base. Encompassing 44 square miles, this bustling town bordering Merrymeeting Bay is fast becoming an economic hub for the region. Historic neighborhoods can be found in many areas around town; drive a mile or so from the town center and you will be surrounded by lush green fields, open farmland, and beautiful views of the Bay. In the 18th century, Topsham’s industries included a watch factory, pottery, nail factory, pitchfork factory, two tanneries, marble works, tobacco manufacture, two feldspar mills, and the manufacture of shingles by the use of “Kelsey’s Patent Shingle Machine”; today the local economy is driven by a strong mix of service businesses, manufacturing, specialty foods companies, restaurants, retirement communities and more.

With the New Meadows River on one side and Casco Bay on the other, West Bath’s small, private coves curl into salt marshes and sloping fields, giving this delightful town its coastal character. Located between Brunswick and Bath, West Bath is the gateway to Sagadahoc County as you travel on Route 1 North. During colonial times, West Bath, Bath, Arrowsic, Phippsburg, and Five Islands were referred to as The Parish of Georgetown. The town’s current population today is about 1,800 year-round residents, with many more seasonal residents. It offers a bustling commercial district, as well as the best clam flats in the area. (Photo courtesy Friends of Seguin Island Lighthouse)

Approximately twelve miles from the Atlantic Ocean, vast expanses of open spaces adorn this historic rural community on the eastern edge of the Kennebec River, also bordered by the Sasanoa and Sheepscot Rivers and Montsweag Bay. First settled in 1638, Woolwich was named after Woolwich, England, a district of South London similarly situated on a large navigable river. Woolwich has a population of approximately 2,900, and a variety of businesses ranging from retail and services to restaurants and tourist accommodations.

Cumberland County

The gateway to Maine’s beautiful midcoast region, Brunswick combines youthful college town ambience with traditional main street atmosphere and a unique economic development opportunity. Home to Bowdoin College, one of New England’s most respected small private colleges, historic downtown Brunswick benefits with a thriving arts, culture and culinary scene. Principal employers drawing from Brunswick’s population of 22,000 include LL Bean, Bath Iron Works, Bowdoin College, two highly regarded hospitals, as well as companies that produce composite materials and other advanced products. With Brunswick Naval Air Station (BNAS) scheduled for closure, the site is being redeveloped as Brunswick Landing: 3,300 acres of prime real estate containing over 2 million square feet of commercial and industrial space and a world class aviation complex. Managed by the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA), Brunswick Landing promises to be an ideal location for innovative firms in the fields of composites, information technology, aerospace and renewable energy.

Located on Casco Bay, the 250-year-old Town of Harpswell is a unique coastal community that for decades has been a mecca for vacationers seeking an authentic saltwater environment, a serene way of life, and an abundance of natural beauty. Its 216 miles of shoreline consists of Harpswell Neck, the three large islands of Sebascodegan (Great Island), Orr’s, and Bailey – which are connected by bridges – and a scattering of over 200 smaller islands accessible only by boat. The Harpswell Business Association represents nearly a hundred businesses and non-profits including stores, galleries, inns, lobster pounds, gift shops, services, libraries, community preservation organizations and artisans, as well as places of worship and schools.